Be Prepared And You’Ll Survive Cold Snap That’S On The Way

Sat., Dec. 9, 2000

By Ryan Blethen ryanb@spokesman.com

With bitter cold temperatures expected for Monday and extending through at least mid-week, Spokane Valley residents need to prepare their homes for the worst winter has to offer, utility officials say.

Extremely cold weather can freeze a home’s water pipes and knock out electricity.

To keep pipes from freezing, Gail Gibson, communications director of Vera Water and Power, suggests running a stream of water about the width of a pencil from the faucet furthest from the water meter.

“You want to keep it moving through the whole system,” she said.

If pipes do freeze, do not try to thaw them with any kind of torch, Gibson said. Instead, use a hair dryer if there is still power.

Another way to fight the cold is to make sure cupboards that house pipes are open so the house temperature warms the pipes, especially if the pipes are on the north side of a house because that is where the strong weather tends to come from in the Spokane Valley, said Kathy Small, manager of Pasadena Park Irrigation District.

The best way to fight the cold is to start with your water meter, Small said.

If a meter is not insulated it could freeze, leaving residents with no water and the possibility of broken pipes, she said.

In anticipation of the cold weather, households should be stocked with extra blankets, flashlights, wind-up clocks, extra water, corded phone or anything that can replace affected household items by a loss of water or electricity, said Terri Richey, of Modern Electric Water Company.

Residents should keep an eye on their elderly neighbors and make sure that pets are inside during the cold spell, Gibson said.

Utilities urge people to call them if they need covers for the water meters or help if pipes burst or power is lost.

This sidebar appeared with the story:

Some hot tips

Tips on protecting pipes in cold weather:

Keep a small stream of water runing from the faucet farthest from your home’s water meter.

Open the doors of cupboards containing water pipes.

Insulate your water meter.

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